Press Releases

July 23, 2025 — Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is pleased to have received $15,000 in funding through a PEDIGREE Foundation Program Development Grant. This generous grant will support a new initiative called Project Paws in Homes, which will provide those who adopt Lucky Dog’s long-stay – or challenging –  dogs with the resources they need to make their adoption successful. The new program has already helped beautiful Bluebell, who was a long-stay dog and now “rules the lives” of her adoring adopters.

“Over the past year, shelters across the country have seen dog adoption rates drop, and the shelters that Lucky Dog partners with are no exception, said Mirah Horowitz, Founder and CEO of Lucky Dog. “As a result, shelter dogs are staying in care longer – and in more crowded conditions – than they have in prior years. Puppies are growing up in shelters and missing their critical window of socialization. Lucky Dog is working hard to help our source-shelters not only move the cute fluffy puppies and small adults who still get adopted quickly but also move the adolescents and long-stay dogs who struggle to find forever homes. The funding from the PEDIGREE Foundation ensures  adopters have the resources and support they need to ensure successful transitions for their new forever family members. ”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and nine of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford requesting answers on the impact of FAA workforce reductions on aviation safety, including among analytical staff who proactively identify safety risks. The senators also inquired about comments by FAA officials suggesting the agency is using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze safety data to identify risks.

“The tragic crash of American Airlines flight 5342 highlighted serious gaps in our aviation safety system and demonstrated the need for a robust and experienced analytical workforce at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Unfortunately, over the past six months, your agency has significantly reduced its workforce. We are deeply concerned about these reductions’ impact on aviation safety,” the lawmakers wrote.

Arlington, Va. (July 22, 2025) – AC Hotel Arlington National Landing is officially open, unveiling a multi-million dollar transformation. The reimagined property joins Marriott International’s AC Hotels brand portfolio with distinction, as it’s the largest AC Hotel in North America with 355 European-inspired guest rooms. Highlights also include the debut of the sophisticated AC Kitchen & Lounge, a brand-new lobby and AC Library, 8,800 square feet of completely refreshed meetings and events space, a reimagined exterior façade, and a 4,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center.

“This opening marks an exciting new chapter not only for our team, but for the evolving identity of National Landing,” said Ben Joseph, General Manager at AC National Landing. “Our prime location to major transportation systems matched with our bold, new identity and state-of-the-art facilities is a welcome addition to the community for special events, meetings, celebratory occasions, and a thoughtfully designed home away from home.”

Arlington, Va. — Marymount University has launched its new Workday Pro Platform Administrator Certification, becoming one of only two higher education institutions in the nation to partner with global cloud-based software leader Workday to offer certification programs to the public.

This marks the beginning of Workday College, Marymount’s innovative credentialing initiative to prepare or upskill students, alumni and working professionals for in-demand careers in human capital management, finance and information technology.

July 18, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today reported that the unemployment rate in Virginia rose again in June, to 3.5 percent. The BLS report notes that “Virginia had the only rate increase” in the month of June. This was the sixth consecutive increase in Virginia’s unemployment rate, the first time the Commonwealth’s unemployment has continuously risen over half a year since the Great Recession job losses of 2008-2009.

Virginia’s rising unemployment rate comes amid the Trump Administration’s purges of thousands of federal workers and contractors across the Commonwealth, many of which are not captured in this data because they will not take effect until subsequent months. CNBC just downgraded Virginia in its annual “Top State for Business” rankings to the lowest point in nearly a decade, specifically citing “federal job cuts.” Recent mass firings by the Trump Administration are likely to substantially increase these cuts even further in coming months.

RICHMOND, VA – Today, while speaking at Google’s Reston office, Governor Youngkin announced the launch of VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI – a new online AI Career Launch Pad to help Virginians explore, learn, and connect to high-demand AI and tech-related opportunities. Developed by Virginia Works in partnership with the Grow with Google program, this one-stop launch pad is designed to help working-age Virginians understand, explore, and prepare for the growing role of artificial intelligence across a wide range of industries and jobs.

The VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI site features curated no-cost and low-cost learning opportunities from beginner friendly courses on AI fundamentals and practical workplace applications of artificial intelligence to bootcamps and degree programs offered by Virginia’s leading-edge community colleges and universities. Virginia Works – the Commonwealth’s new agency for workforce development and advancement – will disburse Career Certificate scholarships to support Virginians in gaining free access to high demand career and artificial intelligence training.

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today issued an executive order launching a first-of-its-kind agentic artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory reduction pilot to ensure that the Commonwealth captures the benefits of the latest artificial intelligence technology in reducing regulatory burdens and keeping regulations and guidance documents streamlined and up to date. AI has swept across the nation and our Commonwealth, energizing industries, empowering citizens, and rapidly advancing our way of life in unforeseen ways.

“We have made tremendous strides towards streamlining regulations and the regulatory process in the Commonwealth. Using emergent artificial intelligence tools, we will push this effort further in order to continue our mission of unleashing Virginia’s economy in a way that benefits all of its citizens,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Carr Properties (“Carr”), a leading owner, operator, and developer of premium quality office and residential properties, today announced that the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the national trade association representing the HVACR and water heating industry, has signed an early 12-year lease renewal at 2311 Wilson in Arlington, Virginia. With the agreement, AHRI will continue to occupy 25,063 square feet on the 4th floor, extending its lease through 2038. The lease renewal brings 2311 Wilson to 98% leased.

“It’s a pleasure to not only continue our longstanding relationship with AHRI at 2311 Wilson, but to see their continued commitment to the space and the neighborhood,” said Ryan Lopez, Senior Director of Leasing at Carr Properties. “Their early renewal speaks to the enduring appeal of the building’s transit-oriented location, top-tier amenities, and vibrant mix of ground-floor retailers — all of which make it an ideal home for organizations seeking a well-connected workplace.”

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves as the top House Democrat on the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, today expressed rising concern over Virginia’s economy, after monthly data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that the Commonwealth’s unemployment rate had risen for the fifth consecutive month. The increase brought Virginia’s unemployment rate to 3.4 percent, its highest level since August 2021. Today’s data marks the first time that Virginia’s unemployment rate has risen for five consecutive months since the sustained job losses of the Great Recession in 2008-09.

Beyer said:

On June 16, community leaders, business owners, and child care providers convened to launch the Arlington Child Care Alliance and endorse a pilot initiative to improve child care access and affordability. The participants, following presentations and conversations on the status of child care in Arlington, coalesced around a solution that is grounded in reality and ripe for action: a pilot network of family day home providers that connects families to care, supports providers and gives employers a real benefit resource.

The pilot network will be a focus for the Arlington Child Care Alliance, a child care focused initiative launched through the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Foundation.